Young Guns' Chance To Put On Show For Eriksson

With the nation gripped by World Cup fever following England's stunning demolition of Germany in Munich at the weekend, all eyes have turned to the North-East with Sven-Göran Eriksson's men preparing to face Albania tomorrow night at St James's Park.

With the nation gripped by World Cup fever following England's stunning demolition of Germany in Munich at the weekend, all eyes have turned to the North-East with Sven-G&ouml;ran Eriksson's men preparing to face Albania tomorrow night at St James's Park.

A full house is expected as England aim to repeat their 5-1 success against opponents of a lesser calibre.

But for those unable to get to the main event, a rare vision of a bright future will be on offer tonight as David Platt's in-form England Under-21 side take on their Albanian counterparts at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium.

A quick look at the senior squad which reported for duty in Munich on Saturday night proves just how rich a breeding ground the Under-21 side has become, with Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Gareth Southgate the only members of the 18-man party not to have been capped at that level.

For Owen Hargreaves, the rise to fame has come like a whirlwind. The Bayern Munich midfield ace, who made his England Under-21 debut just 12 months ago, has forced his way into Eriksson's plans - winning a second full cap as a substitute in Munich on Saturday night.

And it is Hargreaves' elevation that is driving the rest of England's young guns, with four hopeful North-East players part of Platt's squad for tonight's European Championship qualifier. "In the past players would impress for the Under-21s and then disappear from the international scene," said Mark Wilson, who is joined in the squad by Middlesbrough team-mate Jonathan Greening and Newcastle pair Andy Griffin and Shola Ameobi.

"Of course, your form for your club is as important if you're going to make the breakthrough but it is a boost to think your performances at this level are not going unnoticed.

"Sven-G&ouml;ran Eriksson made it clear that if you're good enough you're old enough and the way he promoted Owen Hargreaves proves that he is a man of his word."

Like the senior side, Platt's young England also won on German soil this weekend, as goals from Joe Cole and Francis Jeffers secured a crucial 2-1 win in Freiburg.

Of the North-East quartet, only Greening made the starting line-up on Friday night. But, with tonight's game coming close to home, the other three are desperate to get their chance.

"Playing for Newcastle United is a massive thing because it is such a big club - but to get picked for your country is even better and is the source of a lot of pride," said Newcastle defender Griffin.

"Putting on the shirt with the three lions on is another step up the ladder and it makes me realise that I am one of the best young players in the country, it's a real dream.

"When we played away in Albania we won 1-0 and we are very confident going into this game - everything has been going very well among the squad and it has been very enjoyable."

Victory against Albania could put England on top of their qualifying group. But Platt has told his players there is another reason for putting on a good show.

"The incentive is pulling on an England shirt, going out, winning games of football and qualifying for things," he said.

"Clearly, there is a route into the full squad. In Sven, there is somebody in place who is keen and excited by the youth and what's coming through. We all know that things can happen quickly."

Tonight's match at the Riverside kicks-off at 7.45pm and tickets are &#xA3;5 for adults and &#xA3;1 for concessions and under-16s.